Your skin may get dehydrated and become dry over time. Dry skin indicates an impaired skin barrier or a deficiency of healthy fats in your skin. Although the topmost layer is mainly made up of dead skin cells, it also contains natural body oils that trap the moisture in your skin and keep it soft and supple. The only problem that arises here is when this layer is not hydrated enough. In such a scenario, the oils do not help, and their levels drop, causing the skin to dry.
Dry skin is a common condition and can hamper people of all ages. This condition can also make your skin red, flaky, or itchy. You, therefore, need to figure out the root cause of this issue and ensure that you maintain the proper skin moisture level. Let’s take a look at what causes dry skin.
Natural Body Lotion – Why Does It Work?
Genetics
Genetics can be one of the primary factors that decide your hair and skin moisture levels. If you have a history of eczema, rosacea, or psoriasis in your family, the chances of you having dry skin is higher. If there is such a history, you must take care of your skin’s moisture levels routinely.
Age
As you age, you begin to lose oil glands in your skin. Doctors have found that at least 85% of older adults develop a “winter itch” skin condition during colder months. When these two factors coincide, it results in dry skin. The only way you can maintain your skin’s moisture level is by constantly moisturizing it with the help of the right body lotions, creams, and butters, depending on your skin’s needs.
Environment
Your skin’s moisture levels are primarily governed by where you spend most of your time. If you work in an airconditioned office for most of the day, your skin is bound to lose moisture. The same happens if you are in a room with a heater on, as heat leaves your skin dry. This, however, can be treated. All you have to do is carry a bottle of body lotion or cream along with you and apply it every time your skin feels dry. You can also carry a lip balm if you think your lips are chapped. This will also help protect your skin from contaminants and pollutants while maintaining the optimal skin hydration level.
Lifestyle
The way you live your life and your choices can significantly impact your health, which may ultimately affect your skin. To improve your skin’s health and give it a radiant and vibrant look, make sure you drink sufficient water throughout the day. It would help if you also focused on consuming fibrous and nutrient-rich food. Your meals should be balanced, and try to sneak in at least an hour of exercise daily. Lastly, habits like alcohol consumption and smoking can reverse all the good you do for your skin, so this must be avoided as much as possible. If you plan to hit the bar with a few friends, make sure you drink as much water as possible to keep your skin hydrated.
Using moisturizers, body butters and lotions can help balance your skin moisture levels.
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Fragrance in Body Care
Artificial fragrances can be irritating to the skin and can cause dermatitis. While some may experience a reaction the first time they use a product with artificial fragrance, others may face this problem after using it for a prolonged period. Doctors suggest avoiding deodorants that have a synthetic smell. If you must use a perfume, spray it on your clothes and not on the skin directly. Doing this will improve the moisture levels of your skin and help the fragrance last longer.
Having balanced skin moisture levels will leave you looking healthy.
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Bathing Habits
A long hot shower may feel like the best possible thing to do after a long day at work, but your skin may not agree with you. The hot water can leave your skin inflamed and red and cause itchiness. Heated water is known to strip your skin of the essential oils and fats needed to keep the skin moisture levels high. Instead of taking a hot shower, turn down the temperature of the water and decrease the amount of time you spend having a bath. Apart from this, ditch your chemical-laden skin-drying body wash for something naturally moisturizing. Also, make sure you moisturize your skin after stepping out of your bath since this is the ideal time for your skin to absorb as much hydration as possible.
A long hot shower may feel like the best possible thing to do after a long day at work, but your skin may not agree with you. The hot water can leave your skin inflamed and red and cause itchiness. Heated water is known to strip your skin of the essential oils and fats needed to keep the skin moisture levels high. Instead of taking a hot shower, turn down the temperature of the water and decrease the amount of time you spend having a bath. Apart from this, ditch your chemical-laden skin-drying body wash for something naturally moisturizing. Also, make sure you moisturize your skin after stepping out of your bath since this is the ideal time for your skin to absorb as much hydration as possible.
Balancing Your Skin Moisture Levels
Now that you know what leads to dry skin, make sure you change a few habits that will help your skin stay hydrated. Several products on the market may help you maintain proper skin moisture levels without causing any side effects.
Invest in a natural moisturizer that does not contain chemicals. This could be a body lotion, creme, or butter. No matter what you choose, make sure it’s lightweight. When choosing a moisturizer for dry skin, the biggest mistake people make is picking something too heavy or oily. This tends to do more harm than good to the skin. This is because a rich moisturizer will not get absorbed, and it tends to attract dirt, dust, and pollutants which eventually clog your pores.
Hydrate Your Skin Now
Although losing moisture is a natural process, an excessive loss will not only dry your skin but also speed up the signs of aging. Dry skin can make you look older than you are by causing your skin to wrinkle faster. No matter the season, choose a moisturizer based on your skin’s needs, and remember to stay away from fad trends.
Natural products always work better, not only because they cause less irritation to the skin but also because they benefit your skin externally and internally. Something as simple as cold-pressed coconut oil can be more beneficial when it comes to moisturizing your skin in comparison to chemical-based moisturizers.
If you have been using an excellent moisturizer that helps hydrate your skin for hours, do let us know in the comments section and tell us how it benefited you so it can help others too.
